Filling-up Cars with Wrong Fuel at the Gas Station Increasing Steadily
Drivers Must Double-check if the Attendants are Fueling the Right Type of Fuel

With the increase in the use of diesel cars, the number of diesel car drivers who suffer damages in their car engines is also rising due to refueling with wrong fuels at oil stations.

** The number of consumer complaints and damage redresses related to “fuel mixture accidents” from Jan, 2006 to Apr, 2007 was 128.
(In 2006: 95 cases, Jan-Apr, 2007: 33 cases (up 83.3% year on year))

** The reason why most of the fuel mixture accidents occur with diesel cars is because of the smaller diameter of gasoline nozzle spouts (1.91Cm) than that of diesel cars’ fuel tank doors (3.2~4.0Cm). Meanwhile, because the diameter of diesel nozzle spouts (2.54Cm) is bigger than that of gasoline tank doors (2.2Cm), filling-up gasoline-powered cars with wrong type of fuel rarely occurs.

Most of the accidents seem to occur due to service attendants’ mistakes -- confusing of vehicle types. Other reasons include the absence of standard labeling of cautions on gas tank doors and caps, and all different colors of gas nozzles and hoses used differently in each petrol station.

Based on its research result, the Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) said that systematic and constant training of gas attendants is very important to prevent wrong fueling, as well as other countermeasures such as standardization of marking proper cautions on fuel tank doors and caps, and unification of gas nozzle and hose colors.              

□ Colors of Gas Nozzles and Hoses Used by Different Gas Stations are All Different

Colors of Gas Nozzles and Hoses by Type of Fuel

Labeling of Cautions on Gas Tank Doors and Caps

□ “Wrong Refueling” Most Frequently Occur with Diesel Cars

According to KCA’s analysis of 128 consumer complaints and damage redress cases, RV(Recreational Vehicle) was the type of vehicle most frequently involved in fuel mix accidents recording 72 cases (56.2%), followed by sedan (49 cases, 38.3%), and minivan (7 cases, 5.5%). Among sedans, New Pride topped the list with 28 cases, while Santafe ranked first among RVs (18 cases).

□ Most of the Wrong Fill-ups Found Afterwards   

KCA’s research result shows that only 22.7% (29 cases) of the drivers realized the wrong fill-ups during refueling, while 77.3% (99 cases) recognized the problem later on the wheel. Among the victims, 57.8% (74 cases) noticed the matter within one day, 16.4% (21 cases) within two days, and 3.1% (4 cases) within over three days.
The Point of Time Drivers Recognize the Wrong Fill-ups (No.of Cases)

□ Damage Compensation Difficult as Many Gas Stations do not Admit their Faults

According to the same analysis, petrol stations admitted their mistake of wrong fueling only in 55 cases out of total 128 (43.0%), while 57.0% (73 cases) of the oil stations involved in the cases refused to provide compensation for consumer damage saying that they didn’t do anything wrong. These stations do not admit their mistakes mainly because drivers tend to find the wrong fill-ups after a while, which makes it difficult to prove gas stations’ mistakes, and also because the repair cost is too high. In particular, if consumers pay the fuel cost by cash, it is difficult for them to prove their claims.

□ Up to 2~3 Million Won Repair Cost for the Damaged Engine Caused by Wrong Fueling

If a diesel car is accidentally filled up with gasoline instead of diesel, usually the car’s engine system including its automotive fuel injector is damaged. In serious cases, weak ignition, engine shakes and other symptoms also occur, which some times requires the replacement of the whole engine.

Repair Costs Involved in Fill-ups with Wrong Fuels
Unit: No. of Cases (%)

Based on the research result, the KCA is planning to propose the Ministry of Construction and Transportation to standardize the labeling of proper cautions on gas tank doors and tank caps, and urge the Korea Petroleum Association, the Korea Oil Station Association, and the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association to voluntarily come up with measures to prevent fuel mix accidents.

♣ Consumer Cautions to Prevent Wrong Fueling ♣

1. Inform the petrol pump attendant that your car is diesel-powered car before filling-up, and check the refueling process.
2. Make sure to turn off the ignition before refueling.
3. If possible, pay fueling costs with your credit card rather than by cash, and check the price and type of fuel when you pay the price.

In case you made a payment by cash, receive a cash receipt.

1. If you find problems with engine power, ignition failure, or engine hesitation after refueling, have your car immediately towed to a garage. If you confirm that the problems have been caused by wrong fueling, notify the fact to the gas station as soon as possible.  

July 13th , 2007 [Consumer Dispute Settlement Department II]